AI Damage2006 Saturn VUE: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Saturn VUE filed 300 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 300
- involving a crash
- 18
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 34% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 31% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 6 Latches, locks, linkages 6% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 5% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 103 complaints (34% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 93 complaints (31% of all), 15 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 29 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 26 complaints (9% of all).
- Structure: 19 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 4 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 300 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 103 | 5 | 0 |
| Air bags | 93 | 15 | 0 |
| Steering | 29 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 15 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. Afterwards, the contact and the contact's daughter stopped by the clinic. The contact suffered minor injuries to the chest caused by the seat belt. The contact had bruises across the chest.
Sitting in traffic at a light in drive with brakes applied not moving,1989 chevy pick up truck ,hit my back bumper,the light on my dash indicated the air bags deployed,and a light on my dash said passenger air bag is off,the air bags did not deploy.took my car to the nearest chevrolet dealer kendall of nampa…
My airbags didn't deploy driver or passenger side . The indicator light on the dash said the air bag was off for passenger side . I had a passenger in the car and neither air bag came out causing serious damage to my head and neck
We also have problems with electrical being the dashboard lights always flicker and the left side lights and blinker do the same. We also have had problems with the ignition being the key will not turn over, we have to be very patient and after quite sometime it will finally work after you remove the key several times…
Rear ended vehicle in front of me at intersection. Waiting on confirmation but most likely vehicle will be totaled due to front end damage. With the massive damage to the front the airbag did not deploy.
When I had a car wreck either of the air bags did not deploy but the lights stay on. I had to pay 596.00 to replace my key ignition and sometimes it still sticks. My driver door will not open and one of the seat belts in the rear has not worked properly. I see that they are recalling other saturns but not mines.
The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shuddered violently. The contact's daughter lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road before coming to a complete stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated.
My car is very rusted out,underneath the body and no one will work on my car because they feel it's a hazard to drive and work on. I went to an iron works shop and mechanic said it's a common problem with Saturn Vue's,I took it back to where I bought it because they knew it before I bought it .
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,346 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 4% most complained about).
On average one model year of the VUE has 236 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 300, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Saturn VUE?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, air bags, steering. Total complaints: 300. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (15%), warning lights, check engine (13%), door locks, latches, handles (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Saturn VUE?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Saturn VUE from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.